25/11/13: Event: International Aquaculture focus on South Australia in 2014

South Australia’s world-renowned aquaculture sector will be under
the spotlight next year as Adelaide
plays host to the World Aquaculture Adelaide Conference.

Gail Gago, minister for agriculture, food and fisheries, South Australia said winning the hosting rights was a coup for South Australia, with between 2,000 to 3,000 delegates expected to attend and inject up to AUD$11.5 million into the state’s economy.

“Port Lincoln just hosted the Australian seafood industry national conference, and now with the premier international aquaculture science and industry event coming to Adelaide next year, it shows how well regarded South Australia is as a producer of premium and safe seafood from a clean aquatic environment,” Gago said.

“Hosting the conference presents a fantastic opportunity to showcase to the international industry our production techniques, regulatory frameworks, research and innovation as well as the growing connection between aquaculture and tourism.”

It is anticipated that the conference will be one of the largest ever held in South Australia.
Minister Gago said with South Australian aquaculture production at the farm gate valued at over AUD$241 million and the sector now making up more than 54% of the state’s seafood production, the industry is a significant employer, particularly in regional areas.

“The recently released independent Economic Impact of Aquaculture on the South Australian State and Regional Economies for 2011-12 shows the value of aquaculture production grew 11% on the previous year, up by more than AUD$23 million,” Gago added.

“These aquaculture businesses are regional businesses, and it is testament to the ingenuity and enterprise of regional communities that they continue to grow and prosper. “Aquaculture is one of the great success stories of regional employment and innovation, directly generating 1,147 full time jobs and another 1,510 indirectly, 65% of which are based outside the greater Adelaide area.”

Chair of the conference steering committee and President-elect of the World Aquaculture Society Dr Graham Mair said with aquaculture one of the fastest growing food producing sectors in the world, the conference and its theme of ‘Create Nurture Grow’ will showcase industry success stories.